Flu Bug Bites

If four games and five nights and five in seven wasn’t bad enough, how about throwing in a healthy dose of the flu bug to make things even more interesting? That’s what the Caps are facing on this crisp and sunny morning in northern New Jersey.

Several players stayed back at the hotel when we came over to Continental Airlines Arena this morning, which is where I currently sit typing this medical missive. Goaltender Brent Johnson is among the ill, meaning Olie Kolzig with start tonight in New Jersey and tomorrow in New York. Coach Glen Hanlon rattled off half a dozen other Caps who are under the weather, and now it’s just a matter of seeing who can recuperate enough to go tonight.

In the meantime, some reinforcements are en route from Hershey. Defenseman Jamie Hunt and center Dave Steckel have been summoned from the Capitals’ AHL affiliate. They won’t arrive in tiem for the skate this morning, but arrangements have been made for them to have a day room at our nearby hotel. And Timo Helbling arrived from Hershey last night, too.

There’s no telling what the Washington lineup will look like by face-off at 7:30 tonight, but I’ll keep you posted as best I can. The Devils just left the ice, and the Caps will be coming on as soon as the the pond is resurfaced.

Wow, it will be interesting to see the line-up tonight. Steckel has been playing well for Hershey and I agree with Strung about Hunt, although with the depleted D, it will be a challenging first NHL game (if he plays).

Tough time for flu/injuries with the Caps and Bears challenging schedules. Caps play 3 in 3 1/2 days and Bears play 3 in 3.